Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Debate in Labour and union movement over climate commitments as many call for Burnham not to allow drilling in North Sea Analysis: ‘Act on the evidence outside the window’: Andy Burnham urged to stick to net zero targets if he becomes PM Backsliding on climate action would drive the Labour party into political obscurity, Zack Polanski has warned, as trade union leaders said more drilling in the North Sea would not help UK workers. The Green party leader, speaking to the Guardian as searing heat swept the country for the second time this year, urged Andy Burnham – widely expected to be the UK’s next prime minister – to be bold on climate justice. He said any move to water down the party’s commitments would have dire consequences at the ballot box. Continue reading...

Temperatures linked to third child’s death in France, where three-quarters of country are under extreme heat alert Europe live – latest updates The UK recorded its hottest ever June temperature on Thursday, as brutally hot conditions supercharged by the climate crisis were linked to the death of a third toddler in France and a sharp rise in medical emergencies across Europe. The UK’s new provisional high of 36.4C (97.5F) – recorded in Yeovilton, Somerset – surpassed Wednesday’s June record of 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire, beating the previous peak of 35.6C set in Southampton in 1976. Continue reading...

Heatwave-related deaths climb in Spain, Italy and France as continent battles another day of extreme temperatures Farryn Stock Over in the UK, South East Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban in Kent amid growing strain from the ongoing heatwave (31C today, 33C tomorrow). “To safeguard that shared supply and prevent any homes from facing a sudden loss of water, we sadly need to ask our communities to not use their hosepipes immediately. We are deeply sorry for the disruption this causes, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone helping us protect Kent’s water.” Continue reading...

npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 22 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s44183-026-00220-2 Resource-dependent economies should shift from finite extractive resources toward sustainable development pathways. This commentary frames marine natural capital as Blue Gold, in contrast to oil-based Black Gold. Using Oman as a case study, we show that integrating marine resources into national development strategies can advance diversification, resilience, and long-term sustainability when guided by ecological limits, effective governance, and value-based economic planning for sustainable ocean-based transformation in resource-dependent coastal economies worldwide.